The UCLA Bruins entered Saturday afternoon with a 10-1 record and winners of nine straight. However, the tough showdown against North Carolina at Madison Square Garden was exactly that — tough.
The Tar Heels snuck out a hard-fought 76-74 win in New York as RJ Davis hit three free throws in the final 30 seconds to secure the win for North Carolina.
Tyler Bilodeau flexed his muscles again with a game-high 26 points on 9-14 from the field. He was the only starter in doubles figures, and the other four combined for just 13 points.
Sebastian Mack played well off the bench with 22 points in the loss, but Mick Cronin’s team lost Eric Dailey Jr. after he played just nine minutes after he took a hit to the face.
Ian Jackson led the way for North Carolina with a team-high 24 points despite him coming off the bench.
UCLA doesn’t have much time to sit around and wait and dwell. The Bruins face off against Gonzaga at Intuit Dome next Saturday in another massive showdown before Big Ten play.